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Embiid 'happy' 76ers moving on from Simmons
Joel Embiid said he is excited about getting to play with James Harden and happy the Sixers are finally able to move on from Ben Simmons.
Joel Embiid 'happy' Philadelphia 76ers moving on from Ben Simmons
PHILADELPHIA -- Joel Embiid said he's glad to be done answering questions about "that subject" now that the Ben Simmons saga is officially in the past for the 76ers.
"Yeah, I'm happy that I'm not going to be answering any more questions about that subject," Embiid said after finishing with 25 points and 19 rebounds in 35 minutes in a 100-87 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder at Wells Fargo Center on Friday night. "It's good that, not just for me, but my teammates, the whole organization. The whole year, it was pretty annoying with the whole situation, but I'm glad that everybody has moved on.
@jack walsh13
"I wish everybody the best in whatever they want to accomplish, but I'm focused on winning games here and trying to win a championship."
That pursuit of a championship will be without Simmons, after the monthslong drama surrounding his wish to be traded away from the 76ers culminated in Thursday's blockbuster deal with the Brooklyn Nets -- one that saw James Harden and Paul Millsap dealt here in exchange for Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and a pair of first-round picks.
And when asked if he had talked to Simmons, or if both of them were going to move on, he referred back to a report during training camp that Simmons wanted to have his own team, and no longer believed that the partnership with Embiid could work after last season's loss to the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
"I honestly don't care, honestly," Embiid said. "Like I've always said, it's unfortunate how everything happened, because you look at the history and we didn't get it done as far as winning in the playoffs, but you look at the history being on the court, what we did in the regular season, we were dominant.
"So it's unfortunate that winning was not the biggest factor. It's unfortunate that for him, having his own team and being the star was more of his priorities. But I always thought that everything was great, the fit was great. But unfortunately Ben thought that it wasn't. But we all move on."
The one final parting shot Embiid did give Simmons was a tweet Thursday in the wake of the trade of a popular internet meme of a man in a suit at the funeral of one of his "haters."
When asked about how long he had that tweet ready in preparation for a deal happening, Embiid -- who has the nickname "Troel" in his Twitter bio -- couldn't keep a straight face as he tried to play off the question.
"Honestly, I don't even know what the tweet was about," Embiid said with a knowing smile. "I just tweeted a random person. I just saw the picture on the internet and I thought he was well-dressed. He had a nice suit on, good looking, you know, he had some swag.
"So I just thought it was a good picture."
Embiid and the Sixers will be hoping that he and Harden can form a picture-perfect tandem on the basketball court. Embiid said the two players have already spoken, and Embiid -- who said several times he was excited about the prospect of playing with the former NBA MVP -- already thinks Harden is the best player he's ever played with.
"It was just a lot of excitement," said Embiid, who was wearing a wrap on his right hand/wrist after he woke up with it swollen following Tuesday's loss to the Phoenix Suns. "Just excited. You talk about guys that I've played with, he's probably gonna be the best yet, based on what he's accomplished in his career so far.
"So it's just about getting everybody on the same page and finding the right way to play. We already have a system in place so we've just got to bring him along and incorporate a bunch of new stuff with a bunch of stuff that he's good at and put it all together."
Embiid also said that he's looking forward to having someone on the court who can take as much attention away from him as he usually does from his teammates.
"I think the way to look at it, every single time I touch a ball, there's a double- or triple-team which is gonna make my teammates and himself even better," Embiid said. "So now you really got a choice. Are you going to double me or are you going to double him? So you got to make that decision and based on every game it might change.
"Other teams might want to take me out of the game or other teams might want to take him out of the game. So we just adjust and then we just go from there. But like I said, it's exciting. I never played with someone like that. So I'm just excited for the new challenge and try to go and get it done."
While Philadelphia doesn't have much time to get things sorted out -- after Friday's win, the 76ers (33-22) have just 27 games remaining, and Harden has already been ruled out of Saturday's contest here against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Still, 76ers coach Doc Rivers declared that Harden's arrival has deservedly given Philadelphia expectations of chasing a championship -- expectations he, and his team, are ready to embrace.
"No one else can put no more pressure on myself than I do," Rivers said. "It will never happen. I'm in this to win. I've always been in this to win. When you get into that, when you make that decision, you understand there's going to be pressure with it. And there should be. Because if there wasn't, everybody would be champions. I think the reason we did this deal is so we can jump into the fray.
"I think [we are good enough]," Rivers continued. "I don't know. That's something we'll find out. We did it with the belief we do, obviously.
"We don't have a lot of time. The Phoenix's of the world and teams, Milwaukee and Miami, they've been together, Milwaukee three years, four years, as a group. So we have to get it done quickly."
76ers’ Joel Embiid doesn’t hide how ‘happy’ he is to be rid of Ben Simmons
There was never a doubt Joel Embiid was going to take more shots than Ben Simmons. This time, they’re parting.
nypost.com
76ers’ Joel Embiid doesn’t hide how ‘happy’ he is to be rid of Ben Simmons
By
Mark W. Sanchez
February 12, 2022 10:13am
The star remaining on the 76ers following the blockbuster swap with the Nets said he is “happy” to be done answering questions about the missing-in-action Simmons and suggested his former co-star does not care enough about winning.
Embiid has carried Philadelphia all season without Simmons, who infamously passed up a dunk in last June’s Eastern Conference semifinals and then was publicly jabbed by Embiid and coach Doc Rivers. Simmons has signaled he was not mentally well enough to return to the team, though that might not be Embiid’s interpretation.
“It’s unfortunate that winning was not the biggest factor,” for Simmons, the big man told reporters after Philly beat the Thunder, 100-87, Friday night. “It’s unfortunate that for him having his own team and I guess being the star was more of his priorities.”
Simmons, the No. 1 overall pick in 2016, will be joining the Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving Nets without an apparent goodbye from Embiid, whom he had played with since 2017.
Joel Eiibid and Ben SimmonsNBAE via Getty Images
Asked if he has talked with Simmons since the trade that brought James Harden to Philadelphia, Embiid said: “No. I honestly don’t care. Like I’ve always said, it’s unfortunate everything happened.”
If there was no text, there was a tweet. In a viral Twitter message that is approaching a half-million “likes,” Embiid tweeted a photo that has become a popular joke stemming from a person saying he showed up at “one of my biggest hater’s funeral.”
While the meaning was clear, Embiid later played dumb.
“Honestly, I didn’t even know what the tweet was about,” he said with a smile. “I just tweeted a random person. … I just saw the picture on the internet, I thought he was well-dressed, had a nice suit on, good looking. He had some swag, so I thought it was a good picture.”
He was in a jolly mood following a 25-point, 19-rebound performance with a new, bearded superstar running mate on the way.
The Simmons haze has cleared, and the news conferences should be easier.
“I’m happy that I’m not going to be answering any more questions about that subject,” Embiid said about Simmons. “The whole year it was pretty annoying with the whole situation. But I’m glad everybody has moved on, and I wish everybody the best.”
I'd be feel some typa way if I was Maxey or Patty Mills right now.
Maxey has been doing great stepping up as a ball handler during this whole drama. He's about to be swiftly demoted to a strictly catch and shoot 3&D player, which isn't really his strong point.
Patty Mills been shooting the best of his career this season and now he has to share those 3's with Seth Curry. He's already giving up shoots whenever Kyrie can play and now they add another 3 ball shooter.
The new CBA deal is gonna to get wrecked because of this trade and these two player in particular. The way Harden got out of Houston followed by being traded a year & half later. No matter the circumstances, the owners are going to have a field day with that in negotiations. And Ben refusing to play for half a season (or more, he still hasn't taken the court). These two dummies may have just fucked up the money for everybody.
Lastly, Harden can still bounce after next season. I've been screaming it once the previous thread, but I've given up on Ben & Joel. No matter how great Embiid plays, he's still too injury prone to be counted on. It's been four or five straight years of the same argument that he WOULD have been MVP or a stronger candidate if he didn't miss all those game with an injury. Even as a number two option, he can't be depended on for the long haul. Reminds me of all those AD/Pelican years. And Hadren is going to play with that, with a player option after next season. Doesn't seem like the smartest of moves to me
Maxey has been doing great stepping up as a ball handler during this whole drama. He's about to be swiftly demoted to a strictly catch and shoot 3&D player, which isn't really his strong point.
Patty Mills been shooting the best of his career this season and now he has to share those 3's with Seth Curry. He's already giving up shoots whenever Kyrie can play and now they add another 3 ball shooter.
The new CBA deal is gonna to get wrecked because of this trade and these two player in particular. The way Harden got out of Houston followed by being traded a year & half later. No matter the circumstances, the owners are going to have a field day with that in negotiations. And Ben refusing to play for half a season (or more, he still hasn't taken the court). These two dummies may have just fucked up the money for everybody.
Lastly, Harden can still bounce after next season. I've been screaming it once the previous thread, but I've given up on Ben & Joel. No matter how great Embiid plays, he's still too injury prone to be counted on. It's been four or five straight years of the same argument that he WOULD have been MVP or a stronger candidate if he didn't miss all those game with an injury. Even as a number two option, he can't be depended on for the long haul. Reminds me of all those AD/Pelican years. And Hadren is going to play with that, with a player option after next season. Doesn't seem like the smartest of moves to me
Maxey will likely play the sixth man role so he shouldn't see a major dip in usage. As long as Embiid is can play playoff games they will be fine which I don't anticipate that being an issue he doesn't have to worry about back to backs. They probably have a two year window to win a ring which I think they know this tbh. Honestly if I'm them I wouldn't want Harden outside of the two year window lol.I'd be feel some typa way if I was Maxey or Patty Mills right now.
Maxey has been doing great stepping up as a ball handler during this whole drama. He's about to be swiftly demoted to a strictly catch and shoot 3&D player, which isn't really his strong point.
Patty Mills been shooting the best of his career this season and now he has to share those 3's with Seth Curry. He's already giving up shoots whenever Kyrie can play and now they add another 3 ball shooter.
The new CBA deal is gonna to get wrecked because of this trade and these two player in particular. The way Harden got out of Houston followed by being traded a year & half later. No matter the circumstances, the owners are going to have a field day with that in negotiations. And Ben refusing to play for half a season (or more, he still hasn't taken the court). These two dummies may have just fucked up the money for everybody.
Lastly, Harden can still bounce after next season. I've been screaming it once the previous thread, but I've given up on Ben & Joel. No matter how great Embiid plays, he's still too injury prone to be counted on. It's been four or five straight years of the same argument that he WOULD have been MVP or a stronger candidate if he didn't miss all those game with an injury. Even as a number two option, he can't be depended on for the long haul. Reminds me of all those AD/Pelican years. And Hadren is going to play with that, with a player option after next season. Doesn't seem like the smartest of moves to me
He's also an idiot
First he's recording like a damn groupie
I would have hooked him...and dude would probably look out
Muthafucka trying to be employee of the year while seeking online fame
Imagine if he was a scorer.
"Im Puerto Rican"
He is a very good, and productive scorer scorer, his career averages just not as high as Jordan, Elgin, Wilt's, Durant, and soon to be Jerry West and Iverson, because he will keep playing while his scoring averages drop. His game has no style or not highly skilled moves, but because of his size and athleticism, he is a very productive scorer. A lot of players are more skilled scorers than him, pound for pound.
He averages 1 more rebound than Jordan, less rebounds than Wilt, 2 assists more than Jordan, less steals and blocks than Jordan, and less blocks and rebounds than Wilt. Durant averages more rebounds for a career per game.
If he is not a scorer, what is he? He does not have top averages all time in any other category other than scoring, and he defense is average. Only one scoring title and only one assist title.
He just played a long time, he is not the "best" at any skill, but a consistent, top 5 productive, scorer per game which is excellent.
He was in Houston
You typed a whole lotta mealy mouthed bullshit. Nice picture tho.He is a very good, and productive scorer scorer, his career averages just not as high as Jordan, Elgin, Wilt's, Durant, and soon to be Jerry West and Iverson, because he will keep playing while his scoring averages drop. His game has no style or not highly skilled moves, but because of his size and athleticism, he is a very productive scorer. A lot of players are more skilled scorers than him, pound for pound.
He averages 1 more rebound than Jordan, less rebounds than Wilt, 2 assists more than Jordan, less steals and blocks than Jordan, and less blocks and rebounds than Wilt. Durant averages more rebounds for a career per game.
If he is not a scorer, what is he? He does not have top averages all time in any other category other than scoring, and he defense is average. Only one scoring title and only one assist title.
He just played a long time, he is not the "best" at any skill, but a consistent, top 5 productive, scorer per game which is excellent.
Embiid wilin' again. Keep talkin about anybody else for MVP. 
It is what it is. Lebron has the longevity records, Jordan and Wilt have most of the highest scoring average and peak records.
He is a very good, and productive scorer scorer, his career averages just not as high as Jordan, Elgin, Wilt's, Durant, and soon to be Jerry West and Iverson, because he will keep playing while his scoring averages drop. His game has no style or not highly skilled moves, but because of his size and athleticism, he is a very productive scorer. A lot of players are more skilled scorers than him, pound for pound.
He averages 1 more rebound than Jordan, less rebounds than Wilt, 2 assists more than Jordan, less steals and blocks than Jordan, and less blocks and rebounds than Wilt. Durant averages more rebounds for a career per game.
If he is not a scorer, what is he? He does not have top averages all time in any other category other than scoring, and he defense is average. Only one scoring title and only one assist title.
He just played a long time, he is not the "best" at any skill, but a consistent, top 5 productive, scorer per game which is excellent.
He’s a great player, no need to diminish him to put shine on others.
Embiid wilin' again. Keep talkin about anybody else for MVP.
I missed most of the game but good game though...I knew the Cavs would lose because fans and the media was on that anti-Sexton bullshit again. Every time,the Cavs win a couple of games;people always say "We don't need Sexton"...
How does losing talent make the team better when this team needs someone to take the pressure off of Garland.
Read what I said, I said he was a very good, consistent, productive scorer. What the fuck else y'all sensitive ass niggas want me to say?
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